Lecanemab: US Veterans Health Administration will cover cost of new Alzheimer’s drug

The US Veterans Health Administration, which provides medical care to US military veterans, has said it will cover the cost of lecanemab (Leqembi) for veterans in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.1

The US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for lecanemab to treat Alzheimer’s disease in January 2023 and will decide whether to grant full approval by 6 July 2023.2

The drug, made by both Eisai and Biogen, is the first medicine against Alzheimer’s disease for which a US government agency has approved payment—although it is the second drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The …